Press

Adil Abrar - Chairman and Managing Director

Adil's early career was spent working in advertising and digital marketing with global brands like Sony PlayStation. He spent a career-defining stint at Amnesty UK, creating everything from BAFTA nominated TV shows to technology that combatted online censorship.

In 2010, he set up of Sidekick Studios, an innovation consultancy, that helps large organisations act like startups.

He is also the Founder of Buddy, a software tool to help therapists support people with anxiety and depression. And because two companies isn't enough, Adil is the co-founder of The Amazings, a marketplace for retired adults to sell their skills and experiences to their local community.

His passion is using the startup process to solve problems that really matter.

Asi Sharabi - Strategy Director

As Sidekick's Strategy Director Asi supports our clients across all phases of the Startup process, helping them stay focused on creating value for customers, delivering business growth and solving problems that really matter.

Over the past ten years Asi's been deeply involved in bringing together marketing, branding and business strategy to create useful digital products for brands. Prior to joining Sidekick Asi ran his own Agency, Bench of Friends, and before that he was a Director at HyperSocial. He holds a PhD in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics.

Buddy

Buddy is an SMS and web application enabling people with anxiety and depression to improve their lifestyle and their ability to take control of their own recovery.

Buddy was developed by Sidekick Studios in close collaboration with service users and clinical service providers from the South London and Maudsley Hospital. It was seed funded by NESTA. Buddy was spun out of Sidekick in November 2011 and now has customers serving thousands of service users across the south east of England.

Buddy was recently nominated by Real Business magazine as one of the top 50 most exciting companies in the country.

www.buddyapp.org

The Amazings

The Amazings is in the business of making Britain amazing.

We do this through an online marketplace, where people who are retired, offer amazing skills and experiences to their local communities. Foraging. 50s style hairdos. Tai-Chi. Street photography. All knowledge will be there (we're just getting going, so give us a chance).

The Amazings was originally developed by Sidekick Studios as part of their summer 2011 social business incubator, SS3. Following receipt of further funding it was spun out of Sidekick in January 2012.

The Amazings was the winner of the Design Council 'keeping active and keeping connected' challenge.

www.theamazings.org

Sidekick School

Funded by Nominet Trust, Sidekick School is a unique incubator programme for UK charities designed to help social purpose organisations create revenue generating digital products and services.

The first two charities to take part will be announce in February 2012.

Charities taking part in Sidekick School receive up to 1200 hours of design, technology and business consulting and will leave with an alpha version of a digital product. During the programme they will also second a member of staff to learn how to manage the product after the school. Alongside the four projects Sidekick will also be running several 'night school' classes for other non-profits to attend to learn about digital innovation and revenue generation.

www.sidekickschool.org